Oh Christmas Tree...

 Last night after visiting Santa we came home and put up our Christmas tree.  This was the first year that we had Collin help and he was SO into it.  He most certainly had the Christmas spirit dancing around in his heart!  He hung most of the ornaments all by himself.  I had to rearrange some of them because every once in awhile I'd find 4 or 5 on one branch but honestly for the most part he did really well!  I have lots of ornaments that I don't use or have never hung and that boy made sure each and every single ornament was put to good use this year!  I just loved how excited he was.  At one point he said "I just LOVE this mommy, don't you think Santa will love it too?"!

 Madelyn helped too but her idea of helping usually involved things coming off the tree ...

 

 Oh the wonder of a Christmas tree...

Santa

Tonight we took the kids to see Santa at FantasyLand!  I remember going there as a child and we have taken Collin every Christmas since he was born...another one of our family traditions!
  Both kids had so much fun running all around and peeking into all the little elves workshops!

 Collin insisted he bring Santa a sucker.  As we walked away he pondered "Do you think Santa will enjoy his sucker mommy?"

 Mads was all about Santa until we put her on his lap!

He tried to make up with her...

 And it worked...

 Sweet Collin told Santa he would like 3 things

~a remote control tractor

~an air compresse"nor"

~and stinky (the garbage truck)

He then went on to ask for things for his sister without even being prompted which just warmed his momma's heart!

He asked that Santa would bring her 

~a baby

~a bed for baby

~some food for her baby

He was sad that he forgot to tell Santa about the magic set and the dinosaurs that he wants as well.  We promised to go back!  ;)

He also wondered why Santa hadn't asked him if he was a good boy this year?!  Nothing gets by this one!!  We imagine it's because Santa already knows that Collin is a good boy!  ;)

 Wait what's this??

 She's going for it people!

Aw!  She decided to give a little love to the big guy after all!

 And Collin and Santa, well they're old friends!

What a fun night!  We came home and set up our tree!  

Pictures tomorrow!!

Saturday at Grammy's

We go to Grammy and Papa's every Friday or Saturday for dinner...and let's just be honest, sometimes we go Friday AND Saturday!  ;)  It's something that we all look forward to.  Tonight was the first night that the kids have been there since Grammy and Papa put up the Christmas tree.  The kids were excited.  Grammy has the Hallmark pickle ornament and story has it that the first one to find the hidden pickle on the tree gets a special present.  Can you imagine who the lucky winner was???

He got the movie Toy Story 3 as his special present.

 And Madelyn was happy with the M&M's...

Of all the gifts that will be under the tree, 

these two are my favorite...

I love this one with the ornament hanging in the background from his first Christmas...

 My Santa babies...

HO!

 HO!

 HOOOOOO!

 Did ya like that?!

Naughty or nice...

...you decide!  :)

I love that we go to Grammy and Papa's every week. 

 I love that my relationship with my parents has only grown stronger with age.  

I love that my children adore them...

you should see Madelyn with her Papa.  

I love that each week we make memories that time cannot erase. 

I love that my children get to spend so much time with their Grammy and Papa.

I can only pray that when they are 31 they will be coming to my house every weekend with their own babies!  :)

We love you Grammy and Papa!
See you next weekend!!

Christmas a little early

One of the girls that I teach with very generously offered us some of the toys that her children had outgrown.  She kept telling me that she didn't want me to feel like I had to take them but my children were beyond excited to receive them!  So very sweet of her to think of us!  Here are just a few of the fun things that are new to our house...

Smores the horse...

A big girl doll house...

Lincoln Logs...

(daddy was excited about these)

We also were given two leapsters with several game cartridges, a vtech with game cartridges, an air hockey table, and a shake and go race track!  Don't you wish you were friends with Lisa?!  :)

A Fly on the Wall part 2

If you were a fly on the wall in my house you would have heard the following within the last few days....

Madelyn!  Crayons are for coloring, not for eating.

Collin, why in the world would you crack a raw egg on your sister's high chair tray while she is eating dinner?

Madelyn we sit in chairs not on top of the table.

Collin if you dump one more bottle of my shampoo down the drain you are in serious trouble son!

Madelyn OUT of the dishwasher!

What would make you think cutting your sister's hair was a good idea?!

(and for all who are wondering, it was only a few strands and nothing that I would have ever noticed had Collin not tattled on himself)

You gave Madelyn an open can of pop...perfect!

Little boys are not allowed to pour juice by themselves!

Seriously WHO bought these permanent markers anyway?!

Who unraveled this roll of toilet paper AND the roll of paper towels?

Yes, my house if very busy...

lots of hustle and bustle....

little feet (and hands) are always moving...

But the best thing that you would hear if you were a fly on my wall is 

the pidder padder of chubby feet

the melodic sound of our children's laughter

and of course

a million I love yous!